Article dispensing apparatus



P. A. JOHNSON ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS July s, 1969 Sheet of 3 FiledNov. 8, 196

July 8, 1969 P. A. JOHNSON vAR'III'ICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Nov.8, 1967 July 8, 1969 P. A. JOHNSON ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Sheet 3of3 Filed Nov. 8, 1967 United States Patent US. Cl. 221-67 15 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An article dispenser for use in a vendordispensing articles such as cans of beverage. The dispenser includes acolumn having side walls for holding three staggered stacks of articlesone behind another, and a pair of vertically movable laterally spacedsupport bars extending underneath the articles for supporting thestacks. Each of the side walls has a lower stepped formation providingthree vertically spaced horizontal edge portions. A cam mechanismeffects movement of the support bars for successive lateral discharge ofthe lowermost articles on one side of the staggered stacks under theedge portions on one side Wall, and the lowermost articles on the otherside of the staggered stacks under the edge portions on the other sidewall. 1

Background of the invention This invention relates to article dispensingapparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus for use in a vendorto dispense articles such as cans or the like from a plurality ofstaggered stacks thereof.

Staggered stack can vendors of the prior art typically utilize one ormore side-by-side staggered stack dispensing columns for vending thelowermost can from one of the stacks on each vend cycle. Although suchdispensers have generally served the purpose, they have not provenentirely satisfactory under all conditions of use and for all purposes.For example, such dispensers, within practical limits of cabinet size,have limited storage capacity.

Summary of the invention Among the several objects of the invention maybe noted the provision of dispensing apparatus of the class described ofhigh capacity adapted for successive dispensing of articles from aplurality of stacks, more particularly staggered stacks, arranged onebehind the other in a dispensing column; the provision of such apparatusin which the articles are discharged laterally from the column; and theprovision of such apparatus which is of simple and economicalconstruction and which is easily loaded.

In general, a staggered-stack article dispensing apparatus of thisinvention comprises a column for holding a plurality of staggered stacksof articles one behind another. As will be understood, each staggeredsta'ck comprises a first series of articles (e.g., a right-hand series)and a second series of articles (e.g., a left-hand series). Two movablesupports are provided, one for the first series of articles of all thestacks, and the other for the second series of articles of all thestacks. Means is provided for effecting lowering of the supports todispense articles in a sequence involving successive dispensing of thebottom articles of one series followed by successive dispensing of thebottom articles of the other series. Other objects and features will bein part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a front elevation of thelower part of a dispensing column of this invention;

Patented July 8, 1969 FIG. 2 is a side elevation of FIG. 1, on line 22of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3-9 are partial diagrammatic front elevations of the columnillustrating different positions of certain parts.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring to the drawings,dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention foruse in a vendor for dispensing cans (such as cans of beverage) is shownto comprise a column designated in its entirety by the reference numeral1 adapted to hold three staggered stacks of cans C, one behind another.The first and front staggered stack is designated S1, the second isdesignated S2, and the third and rear stack is designated S3. The columncomprises left and right-hand side walls 3L and SR, a partial front wall5 and a rear wall 7. The side Walls are spaced a distance greater thanthe can diameter but less than twice the can diameter for staggeredstacking of the cans in each of stacks S1, S2, S3 as appears in FIGS.3-9. Each of the stacks S1 and S2 in effect includes a left-handvertical series of cans and a right-hand vertical series of cans. Thefront wall closes only the lower part of the front of the column forloading of the column with cans from the front.

A bar 9L is provided for supporting the left-hand series of cans in thethree staggered stacks and a bar 9R is provided for supporting theright-hand series of cans in the three staggered stacks. These bars arevertically movable, as will appear. Each bar extends horizontallythrough the column from front to rear adjacent its bottom parallel tothe side walls. Bar 9L is offset to the left from the righthand seriesof cans in the three stack-s so that the righthand cans may pass down onthe right of bar 9L; similarly, bar 9R is offset to the right of theleft-hand series of cans in the three stacks so that the left-hand cansmay pass down on the left of bar 9R. The lower edge of each of the sideWalls 3R and 3L is of stepped formation, having three vertically spacedgenerally horizontal edge portions, each somewhat longer than a can,under which cans C from the respective stacks S1, S2 and S3 may exitlaterally as will appear. These lower edge portions of the left-handside wall are designated 11L, 13L and 15L, those of the right-hand sidewall are designated 11R, 13R and 15R. As appears in FIG. 2, the edgeportions designated 11 are the highest, those designated 13 are theintermediate edge portions, and those designated 15 are the lowest.

This arrangement is such that by lowering bar 9R supporting the bottomcans of the right-hand series of cans of stacks 81-83 from the FIG. 3position to the FIG. 4 position, the bottom can of the right-hand seriesof stack S1 will drop out laterally from the column under edge portion11R, but all other cans will be retained. By further lowering bar 9Rfrom the FIG. 4 to the FIG. 5 position, the bottom can of the right-handseries of stack S2 will drop out laterally from the column under edgeportion 13R, but all other cans will be retained. By further loweringbar 9R from the FIG. 5 to the FIG. 6 position, the bottom can of theright-hand series of stack S3 will drop out laterally from the columnunder edge portion 15R, but all other cans will be retained. Afterreturn of bar 9R upward to its FIG. 7 position and on lowering bar 9Lfrom its FIG. 6 to its FIG. 7 position, the bottom can of the left-handseries of stack S1 will drop out laterally from the column under edgeportion 11L, but all other cans will be retained. By further loweringbar 9L from the FIG. 7 to the FIG. 8 position, the bottom can of theleft-hand series of stack S2 will drop out laterally from the columnunder edge portion 13L, but

all other cans will be retained. By further lowering bar 9L from itsFIG. 8 to its FIG. 9 position, the bottom can of the left-hand series ofstack S3 will drop out laterally from the column under edge portion 15L,but all other cans Will be retained. Then, after return of bar 9L to itsdotted line position of FIG. 9 (corresponding to its FIG. 1 position),the cycle may be repeated.

Mechanism for controlling bar 9L is generally indicated at 17L, andmechanism for controlling bar 9R is generally indicated at 17R. Bars 9Land 9R extend horizontally through the lower part of the column fromfront to rear, being mounted for vertical sliding movement at theirforward and rearward ends in vertical slots 19L and 19R in front walland an auxiliary front plate 21, and similar slots in the rear wall 7and an auxiliary rear plate 23. The mechanism 17L for bar 9L includes ashaft 25L extending horizontally from the front to the rear of thecolumn at an elevation above the upper ends of the slots 19L, 19R on theoutside of the right side wall 3R, journalled in the front and rearwalls 5 and 7. Bell cranks 27L and 29L are secured on the forward andrearward ends of this shaft, 27L being in front of the front wall 5, and29L being in the rear of the rear wall 7. Links 31L and 33L areconnected between the free ends of arms 35L of these bell cranks and theends of bar 9L for suspending the latter and effecting vertical movementthereof. Arm 37L of bell crank 27L carries a cam follower roller 39Lengaging a cam 41L clustered with a gear 43L on a shaft 45L journalledin front wall 5. The mechanism 17R for bar 9R is generally identical tomechanism 17L and its parts are designated by the same referencecharacters with the subscript R instead of L. Shaft 25R is located onthe outside of the left-hand side wall 3L. Gears 43L and 43R intermesh,and a pinion 47 meshes with gear 43L for driving the latter and gear 43Rto drive cams 41L and 41R. This pinion is driven through one revolutionon each dispensing cycle by a suitable conventional single-revolutiondrive and is of such diameter in relation to gear 43L as to drive thelatter and gear 43R through an angle of 60 (one-sixth of a revolution)on each cycle.

The left-hand series of cans in each of stacks Sl-S3 bears on bar 9L,and the weight thereof effects gravity bias of cam follower roller 39Linto engagement with cam 41L. Similarly, the right-hand series of cansin each of stacks S1-S3 bears on bar 9R, and the weight thereof effectsgravity bias of cam follower roller 39R into engagement with ca m 41R.Each cam is so developed as to have, in its first 60 of rotation from ahome position (indicated by an index mark M) a first fall A, in its next60 a second fall B, in its next 60 a third fall C followed by a steeprise D to a high dwell E which extends for the next 60, from which thereis a gradual fall back to the home position and :beyond to the start ofthe first fall A. FIG. 1 shows the cam 41R in what may be referred to asthe home position with cam follower roller 39R engaged with the cam 41Rat the home index mark M of this cam. Gears 43R and 43L are meshed withcams 41R and 41L 180 out of phase, so that cam follower roller 39Lengages cam 41L 180 around from the home index mark M on cam 41L, at thebeginning of the high dwell E of cam 41L. The development of each ofcams 41L and 41R is such that when in its home position (i.e., with therespective cam follower roller engaging the cam at the home index mark),the respective can supporting bars 9L, 9R occupy a starting or homeposition some distance below the upper ends of slots 19L and 19R, asshown for the right-hand bar 9R in FIGS. 1-3 and for the left-hand bar9L in FIG. 6. On the first 60 of rotation of either cam from its homeposition, the respective bar is lowered one step to a first dispensingposition, such as shown for the right-hand bar 9R in FIG. 4, and for theleft-hand bar 9L in FIG. 7. On the next 60 of rotation of the cam, thebar is lowered a second step to a second dispensing position such asshown for the right-hand bar 9R in FIG. 5 and for the left-hand 9L barin FIG. 8. On the next 60 of rotation of the cam, the bar is lowered athird step to a third dispensing position at the lower end of the slots,as shown for the righthand rbar 9R in FIG. 6 and for the left-hand bar9L in FIG. 9, and then the bar is immediately raised (by the rise D ofthe cam) to the elevated position at the upper end of the slots, asshown for the left-hand bar 9L in FIGS. 1-3 and for the right-hand bar9R in FIG. 7. On the next 60 of rotation of the cam, the bar remains inits elevated position. On the next 60 of rotation of the cam, the bar islowered to a position intermediate its elevated and home positions, asshown for the left-hand bar 9L in FIG. 5 and for the right-hand bar 9Rin FIG. 8.

FIGS. l3 show the bars 9L and 9R and the elements of mechanisms 17L and17R in the position occupied prior to a sequence involving dispensing onsuccessive vend cycles of the right-hand bottom cans from stacks S1183and then the left-hand bottom cans from stacks 81-83. The right-handbottom cans of stacks 81-53 are specially designated C1, C2 and C3(being the first three cans to be dispensed in this sequence), and theleft-hand bottom cans of stacks 81-83 are specially designated C4, C5and C6 (being the next three cans to be dispensed in this sequence). Bar9R occupies its home position; bar 9L occupies its elevated position.The bottom cans C1, C2 and C3 of the right-hand series of cans of thethree staggered stacks 81-83 bear on bar 9R, the vertical central planeof this series being offset to the right from bar 9R, so that the cansin this series also bear on the right-hand side wall 3R. With bar 9R inits home position, its elevation relative to the first lower edgeportion 11R of the right side wall 3R is such that the centralhorizontal plane of can C1 is slightly above edge portion 11R, and thedistance from bar 9R to the edge portion 11R, as well as the distancesfrom bar 9R to edge portions 13R and 15R, are less than the candiameter, so that cans C1C3 are all retained in the column. By reason ofthe staggered stacking of the cans in stacks 81-53, the bottom cansC4-C6 of the left-hand series of cans of the three stacks are all heldabove the left-hand bar 9L by cans C1-C3, as appears in FIG. 3. Thevertical central plane of the left-hand series of cans in each of thethree staggered stacks is offset to the left from bar 9L, and the cansin these series bear on the left-hand side wall. The central horizontalplane of cans C4-C6 is well above the lower edge portions 11L, 13L and15L of the left side wall 3L.

Operation is as follows:

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in FIGS. 1-3, on thefirst vend cycle, pinion 47 is driven clockwise through a singlerevolution to rotate gear 43L counterclockwise through 60 and to rotategear 43R and cam 41R clockwise through a first 60 interval. This resultsin lowering of bar 9R one step to its first dispensing position at thelevel shown in FIG. 4. This lowers all three staggered stacks S1S3, andcans C1-C3 (the bottom cans of the right-hand series of cans in stacksS1-S3) move down to the point where their central horizontal plane isbelow the level of lower edge portion 11R of the right side wall 3R, butstill above the level of lower edge portion 13R of this side wall. Thedistance from bar 9R to edge portion 11R is then greater than the candiameter, and can C1 rolls to the right off bar 9R as illustrated inFIG. 4 under edge portion 11R and drops out of the column laterally.However, cans C2 and C3, as well as all the other cans in the column,are retained. Cans C2 and C3 separate from the adjacent cans, bearing onbar 9R, and cans C4-C6 (the bottom cans of the left-hand series of cansin the three staggered stacks) come down to bear on bar 9L (whichremains in its elevated position), as shown in FIG. 4, and bar 9L isthus responsible for holding up the three staggered stacks (except forcans C2 and C3).

On the second vend cycle, pinion 47 is driven clockwise through a singlerevolution to rotate gear 43L and cam 41L counterclockwise and gear 43Rand cam 41R clockwise through a second 60 interval. This results inlowering of bar 9R a second step to its second dispensing position atthe level shown in FIG. 5. It also results in lowering of bar 9L to itsintermediate position of FIG. 5 so that the three staggered stacks movedownward to the position shown in FIG. 5, and it is to be noted that bar9L remains responsible for holding up the three staggered stacks (exceptfor cans C2 and C3). Cans C2 and C3 move down to the point where theircentral horizontal plane is below the level of lower edge portion 13R ofthe right side wall 3R, but still above the level of lower edge portionR of this side wall. The distance from bar 9R to edge portion 13R isthen greater than the can diameter, and can C2 rolls to the right offbar 9R as illustrated in FIG. 5 under edge portion 13R and drops out ofthe column laterally. However, can C3- and all the other cans in thecolumn are retained.

On the third vend cycle, pinion 47 is driven clockwise through a singlerevolution to rotate gear 43L and cam 41L counterclockwise and gear 43Rand cam 41R clockwise through a third 60 interval. This results inlowering of bar 9R a third step to its third dispensing position at thelevel shown in FIG. 6, followed by quick upward return of the bar 9R toits elevated position as shown in phantom in FIG. 6. It also results inlowering of bar 9L to its home position so that the three staggeredstacks move downward to the position shown in FIG. 6, and it is to benoted that bar 9L still remains responsible for holding up the threestaggered stacks (except for can C3). Can C3 moves down to the pointwhere its central horizontal plane is below the level of lower edgeportion 15R of the right side wall 3R. The distance from bar 9R is thengreater than the can diameter, and can C3 rolls to the right off bar 9Ras illustrated in FIG. 6 under edge portion 15R and drops out of thecolumn laterally.

On the fourth vend cycle, pinion 47 is driven clockwise through a singlerevolution to rotate gear 43L and cam 41L counterclockwise and gear 43Rand cam 41R clockwise through a fourth 60 interval. This results inlowering of bar 9L one step from its home position of FIG. 6 to itsfirst dispensing position at the level shown in FIG. 7. This lowers allthree staggered stacks 81-83, and cans C4-C6 (the bottom cans of theleft-hand series of cans in stacks S1-S3) move down to the point wheretheir central horizontal plane is below the level of lower edge portion11L of the left side wall 3L, but still above the level of lower edgeportion 13L of this side wall. The distance from bar 9L to edge portion11L is then greater than the can diameter, and can C4 rolls to the leftoff bar 9L as illustrated in FIG. 7 under edge portion 11L and drops outof the column laterally. However, cans C5 and C6, as well as all theother cans in the column, are retained. Cans C5 and C6 separate from theadjacent cans, bearing on bar 9L, and the bottom cans of the right-handseries of cans in the three staggered stacks come down to bear on bar 9R(which remains in its elevated position), as shown in FIG. 7, and bar 9Ris thus responsible for holding up the three staggered stacks (exceptfor cans C5 and C6).

On the fifth vend cycle, pinion 47 is driven clockwise through a singlerevolution to rotate gear 43L and cam 41L counterclockwise and gear 43Rand cam 41R clockwise through a fifth 60 interval. This results inlowering of bar 9L a second step to its second dispensing position atthe level shown in FIG. 8. It also results in lowering of bar 9R to itsintermediate position of FIG. 8 so that the three staggered stacks movedownward to the position shown in FIG. 8, and it is to be noted that bar9R remains responsible for holding up the three staggered stacks (exceptfor cans C5 and C6). Cans C5 and C6 move down to the point where theircentral horizontal plane is below the level of lower edge portion 13L ofthe left side wall 3L, but still above the level of lower edge portion15L of this side wall. The distance from bar 9L to edge portion 13L isthen greater than the can diameter, and can C5 rolls to the left off bar9L as illustrated in FIG. 8 under edge portion 13L and drops out of thecolumn laterally. However, can C6 and all the other cans-in the columnare retained.

On the sixth vend cycle, pinion 47 is driven clockwise through a singlerevolution to rotate gear 43L and cam 41L counterclockwise and gear 43Rand cam 41R clockwise through a sixth 60 interval. This results inlowering of bar 9L a third step to its third dispensing position at thelevel shown in FIG. 9, followed by quick upward return of the bar 9L toits elevated position as shown in phantom in FIG. 9. It also results inlowering of bar 9R to its home position so that the three staggeredstacks move downward to the position shown in FIG. 9, and it is to benotedthat bar 9R still remains responsible for holding up the threestaggered stacks (except for can C6). Can C6 moves down to the pointwhere its central horizontal plane is below the level of lower edgeportion 15L of the left side wall 3L. The distance from bar 9L is thengreater than the can diameter, and can C6 rolls to the left off bar 9Las illustrated in FIG. 9 under edge portion 15L and drops out of thecolumn laterally. This completes the sequence, and, as is apparent, allparts have returned to the position occupied at the start of thesequence.

It should be noted that although three staggered stacks of cans havebeen described and illustrated, the invention may be utilized with agreater or lesser number of staggered stacks by providing acorresponding number of vertically spaced horizontal side wall edgeportions and modifying the dispensing cams to provide the requirednumber of vertical moves for the can support bars. It should also benoted that the present dispensing apparatus may be utilized in vendorsfor dispensing articles other than beverage cans, and certain featuresthereof, e.g., the stepped lower edge side wall feature in conjunctionwith the means for lowering the bottom articles in steps, may beutilized for dispensing from single stacks as distinguished fromstaggered stacks.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing cylindrical articles such as cans comprisinga column having side walls spaced apart a distance greater than thediameter of one of said articles but less than twice said diameter andhaving a front-to-rear dimension such as to provide for stacking of aplurality of staggered stacks in the column between the side walls onebehind another, each of said staggered stacks comprising a firstvertical series of said articles at one side of said column and a secondvertical series of said articles at the other side of the column, withthe articles in all the staggered stacks extending endwise infront-to-rear direction in the column, the first vertical series ofarticles of all the staggered stacks being general ly coplanar at oneside of the column and the second vertical series of articles of all thestaggered stacks being generally coplanar at the other side of thecolumn, a movable support at one side of the column for the firstvertical series of articles of all the staggered stacks, a movablesupport at the other side of the column for the second vertical seriesof articles of all the staggered stacks, and means for effectingmovement of the supports to dispense articles in a sequence involvingsuccessive dispensing one after another of the bottom articles of thefirst vertical series of the staggered stacks followed by successivedispensing one after another of the bottom articles of the secondvertical series of the staggered stacks.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the supports are mountedfor upward and downward movement in the column, and said means foreffecting movement of the supports is operable alternately to lower thesupports in steps successively to bring the bottom articles on onesupport to a position for discharge from the column and thensuccessively to bring the bottom articles on the other support to aposition for discharge from the column.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of the side walls hasa stepped formation providing a plurality of vertically spaced generallyhorizontal edge portions under which the bottom articles of therespective series may exit laterally from the column on lowering of therespective support to different levels, said means for effectingmovement of the supports being operable to effect downward movement ofone support in steps for lowering the bottom articles of the respectiveseries successively to said different levels while the other supportholds up the remaining articles, followed by raising of said onesupport, and then to effect downward movement of the other support forlowering the bottom articles of the respective series successively tosaid different levels, while said one support holds up the remainingarticles, followed by raising of said other support for repetition ofthe sequence.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the stepped formation ofeach side wall is at its lower edge.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each support comprises abar extending through the column adjacent its bottom parallel to theside walls.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein means is provided forsupporting each bar at its ends, and the means for effecting movement ofthe bars comprises first cam mechanism operable on the supporting meansfor one bar and a second cam mechanism operable on the supporting meansfor the other bar.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein each cam mechanism includesa rotary cam and a follower connected to the respective bar supportingmeans, the followers being gravity-biased into engagement with the camsby the weight of the bars and the articles.

8. Apparatus for dispensing cans comprising a column having right andleft side walls adapted to hold three staggered stacks of cans onebehind another, each stack comprising a right-hand vertical series ofcans engaging the right side wall and a left-hand vertical series ofcans engaging the left side wall, a right-hand bar extending through thecolumn adjacent its bottom parallel to the side walls adapted to supportthe right-hand series of the three stacks, and a left-hand bar extendingthrough the column adjacent its bottom parallel to the side wallsadapted to support the left-hand series of the three stacks, said barsbeing mounted for vertical movement, the right side wall having first,second and third steps at its lower edge under which the bottom cans ofthe three right-hand series may be successively discharged on loweringof the right-hand bar from a home position successively to first, secondand third dispensing levels, the left side wall having first, second andthird steps at its lower edge under which the bottom cans of the threeleft-hand series may be successively discharged on lowering of theleft-hand bar from a home position successively to first, second andthird dispensing levels, and means for effecting movement of the bars ina sequence involving lowering of the righthand bar successively from itshome position to its first, second and third dispensing levels followedby raising of the right-hand bar, and lowering of the left-hand barsuccessively from its home position to its first, second and thirddispensing levels, followed by raising of the lefthand bar.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the means for effectingmovement of the bars is operable to raise each bar immediately after ithas been lowered to its third dispensing level to an elevated positionabove its home position and thereafter to lower each bar to its homeposition.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the means for effectingmovement of the bars comprises a first cam operable on the right-handbar and a second cam operable on the left-hand bar, and means forrotating the cams through one-sixth of a revolution on each dispensingcycle.

11. Article dispensing apparatus comprising a column for holding aplurality of stacks of articles one behind another, a support for thestacks mounted for upward and downward movement relative to the column,said column having a side wall having a stepped formation providing aplurality of vertically spaced generally horizontal edge portions underwhich the bottom articles of the respective stacks may exit laterallyfrom the column on lowering of said support to different levels, andmeans operable to effect downward movement of said support in steps forlowering the bottom articles of the stacks successively to saiddifferent levels while holding up the remaining articles.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein the stepped formation isat the lower edge of said side wall.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said support comprises abar extending through the column adjacent its bottom parallel to saidside wall.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein means is provided forsupporting said bar at its ends, and said means for moving the barcomprises cam mechanism operable on said bar supporting means.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said cam mechanismincludes a rotary cam and a follower connected to said bar supportingmeans, the follower being gravity-biased into engagement with the cam bythe weight of the bar and the articles.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 4/1963 Great Britain.

WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 2211l2, 131

